In the beginning of the chapter, Athene convinces Penelope to confront the suitors and tell them what they have to do if they want to win her hand in marriage. She gets the sacred bow that was given to Odysseus by his friend Iphitus. Penelope says that whoever strings the bow most easily and shoots an arrow through all of the 12 axes, is the man she will go with. Telemachus tries the contest but he fails and on the fourth try, Odysseus signals him to give up. Then, Odysseus asks the swineherd and the cowherd if Odysseus randomly showed up, would they side with the suitors or with Odysseus. They say they would obviously fight with Odyssues and then they pray for him. Odysseus then tells them that it has been him all along and they have been loyal so in the future he will give them a wife, possesions, a new house closer to his, and he will look at the as Telemachus' friends and brothers. Odysseus said he will go in first and they will come in after. When the suitors refuse to give Odysseus the bow and arrows, Eumaeus will give Odysseus the bow. He told Eumaeus to make sure the women stay in their quarters and he tells Philoetius to bolt the courtyard gate. Then Eurymachus fails with the bow and gets upset because he said it will prove that he is a weakling compared to Odysseus and disgrace will stick to their names forever. Odysseus asks them to give him the bow so he can test his strength. Antinous compares his suggestion to Eurytion the famous Centaur. Penelope says she will give the beggar a fine new cloak and tunic, a sharp javelin, a two-edged sword, sandals, and she will take him anywhere he wants to go if he strings the bow. Then, Odysseus checked the bow and strung it easily without any effort. He tested the string and it sang as he plucked it, the suitors were very embarrassed. Odysseus shot the arrow through all 12 axes. When he strung the bow, Zeus made a thunderbolt.
Major Themes (and where they are):(Alex)
Pgs 277- 278- last sentence then the first paragraph- hospitality. Pgs 282- 283- first paragraph and last one (into page 283) - loyalty- second paragraph- homeric hero. Pgs- 283- 284- last sentence to the first paragraph- disguise Pg 284- middle of second paragraph- homeric simile. Pg 285- second paragraph- hospitality- third paragraph- development of Telemachus. Pg 287- first paragraph- homeric simile- third paragraph homeric hero.
Locations Traveled (and mentioned): (Da)
1. Odyssey's Palace (Odysseus=name; Odyssey=trip) - Pritchard
2.lady goes to the store-room
3.Penelope goes back to her room
Study Guide Questions:
What does Athene inspire Penelope to do at the beginning of the chapter? (Shade)
She prompts Penelope to confront the suitors about the archery contest.
Briefly describe the story behind Odysseus’ bow. (Shade)
Iphitus, a close friend of Odysseus that was killed by Zeus' son, gave him the bow. Odysseus never took it to war with him. Instead, he put it on display at home in memory of his Iphitus, though he used it while he was at home.
Explain the challenge Penelope gives to the suitors. (Shade)
Whoever strung the bow with the least amount of trouble and shot the arrow through each of the 12 axes would be the man Penelope would marry.
What does Telemachus do for the contest? (Shade)
He tried to string the bow and shoot the arrow 3 times and missed each time. Then on the fourth try, he gave up when Odysseus shook his head, signaling Telemachus to stop trying.
Why is Telemachus frustrated? (Simone)
What does Odysseus ask the cowman and the swineherd? (Simone)
How do they respond? (Simone)
What does Odysseus do in return? (Simone)
What does Odysseus instruct the men to do? (Simone)
What is Eurymachus so upset about? (Caroline)
He also cannot string the bow, and so he says he is weak.
What does Antinous compare Odysseus’ “drunken” suggestion to? (Caroline)
When Eurytion the centaur got drunk at a wedding and attempted to rape the bride. The hosts threw him out after cutting off his nose and ears off.
What does Penelope say she will give the beggar if he strings the bow? (Caroline)
She will give him a new cloak and tunic, a javelin, a sword, sandals, and to take him anywhere he wants to go.
What happens at the moment Odysseus strings the bow? (Caroline) A thunderclap from Zeus sounds.
Chapter 21 - The Great Bow
Summary: (Sukie)
In the beginning of the chapter, Athene convinces Penelope to confront the suitors and tell them what they have to do if they want to win her hand in marriage. She gets the sacred bow that was given to Odysseus by his friend Iphitus. Penelope says that whoever strings the bow most easily and shoots an arrow through all of the 12 axes, is the man she will go with. Telemachus tries the contest but he fails and on the fourth try, Odysseus signals him to give up. Then, Odysseus asks the swineherd and the cowherd if Odysseus randomly showed up, would they side with the suitors or with Odysseus. They say they would obviously fight with Odyssues and then they pray for him. Odysseus then tells them that it has been him all along and they have been loyal so in the future he will give them a wife, possesions, a new house closer to his, and he will look at the as Telemachus' friends and brothers. Odysseus said he will go in first and they will come in after. When the suitors refuse to give Odysseus the bow and arrows, Eumaeus will give Odysseus the bow. He told Eumaeus to make sure the women stay in their quarters and he tells Philoetius to bolt the courtyard gate. Then Eurymachus fails with the bow and gets upset because he said it will prove that he is a weakling compared to Odysseus and disgrace will stick to their names forever. Odysseus asks them to give him the bow so he can test his strength. Antinous compares his suggestion to Eurytion the famous Centaur. Penelope says she will give the beggar a fine new cloak and tunic, a sharp javelin, a two-edged sword, sandals, and she will take him anywhere he wants to go if he strings the bow. Then, Odysseus checked the bow and strung it easily without any effort. He tested the string and it sang as he plucked it, the suitors were very embarrassed. Odysseus shot the arrow through all 12 axes. When he strung the bow, Zeus made a thunderbolt.Major Themes (and where they are): (Alex)
Pgs 277- 278- last sentence then the first paragraph- hospitality. Pgs 282- 283- first paragraph and last one (into page 283) - loyalty- second paragraph- homeric hero. Pgs- 283- 284- last sentence to the first paragraph- disguise Pg 284- middle of second paragraph- homeric simile. Pg 285- second paragraph- hospitality- third paragraph- development of Telemachus. Pg 287- first paragraph- homeric simile- third paragraph homeric hero.
Locations Traveled (and mentioned): (Da)
1. Odyssey's Palace (Odysseus=name; Odyssey=trip) - Pritchard2.lady goes to the store-room
3.Penelope goes back to her room
Study Guide Questions:
What does Athene inspire Penelope to do at the beginning of the chapter? (Shade)
She prompts Penelope to confront the suitors about the archery contest.
Briefly describe the story behind Odysseus’ bow. (Shade)
Iphitus, a close friend of Odysseus that was killed by Zeus' son, gave him the bow. Odysseus never took it to war with him. Instead, he put it on display at home in memory of his Iphitus, though he used it while he was at home.
Explain the challenge Penelope gives to the suitors. (Shade)
Whoever strung the bow with the least amount of trouble and shot the arrow through each of the 12 axes would be the man Penelope would marry.
What does Telemachus do for the contest? (Shade)
He tried to string the bow and shoot the arrow 3 times and missed each time. Then on the fourth try, he gave up when Odysseus shook his head, signaling Telemachus to stop trying.
Why is Telemachus frustrated? (Simone)
What does Odysseus ask the cowman and the swineherd? (Simone)
How do they respond? (Simone)
What does Odysseus do in return? (Simone)
What does Odysseus instruct the men to do? (Simone)
What is Eurymachus so upset about? (Caroline)
He also cannot string the bow, and so he says he is weak.
What does Antinous compare Odysseus’ “drunken” suggestion to? (Caroline)
When Eurytion the centaur got drunk at a wedding and attempted to rape the bride. The hosts threw him out after cutting off his nose and ears off.
What does Penelope say she will give the beggar if he strings the bow? (Caroline)
She will give him a new cloak and tunic, a javelin, a sword, sandals, and to take him anywhere he wants to go.
What happens at the moment Odysseus strings the bow? (Caroline)
A thunderclap from Zeus sounds.